Nick Rahall: “I have no illusions as to what the outcome of this vote will be, but I think it is necessary to rise in opposition to…”

“I have no illusions as to what the outcome of this vote will be, but I think it is necessary to rise in opposition to this resolution. It is well-intended, I am sure, and I certainly respect the sponsors of it and certainly respect the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman), the chairman of the Committee on International Relations. The administration, Mr. Speaker, is unmistakably on record as opposing a Palestinian unilateral declaration of statehood. There is no real need for this resolution and particularly at this time, a very sensitive time in the Middle East itself. In a letter from the State Department to the gentleman from New York, our esteemed chairman of the Committee on International Relations, dated March 9, U.S. policy was clearly stated, that the administration opposes unilateral actions, but it goes further in stating, and I quote: 'We believe that any congressional resolution should make clear our opposition to all unilateral acts.' I stress the word 'all,' which the letter does in several different cases. 'Singling out one side would not be as effective as stressing what both parties have already committed themselves to do.' Simply put, it was not only the Palestinians who signed the Oslo Agreement and later the Wye Accords. Israeli commitments as well should be reiterated in any congressional resolution on this subject.”